South Carolina companies are finding responsible solutions to coal ash reuse and disposal that reduce accident risks, help protect water supplies, create jobs and generate new tax revenues — all while boosting public confidence without raising rates.

Why has it taken so long to regulate coal ash? It’s done state-by-state where, experts agree, local utilities have enormous political clout to fend off regulations. Not so much starting December 19, 2014.

Among the things that irk Debbie Dooley the most: How mostly Republican state lawmakers opposed to solar energy benefit – and stay in office – thanks in large part to campaign contributions from investor-owned utilities.

Dominion Virginia Power and Appalachian Power are public utilities. They hold their monopolies by the grace of the people of Virginia, and are expected to act in the interest of the people they serve. In this case, they have manifestly failed to do so.” — Ivy Main

Another state in the Southeast U.S. is recognizing the economic and environmental benefits of solar energy as commissioners, utilities and stakeholders in South Carolina are ironing out details of a new solar law that enables third-party leasing and contemplates the state’s two investor owned-utilities utilities, collectively, installing an estimated 300 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy…

This graphic projects coal plant closures in all 50 U.S. states. Guess which stand to lose 10 or more plants? Go to CountOnCoal.org for details.A few examples: Iowa, Indiana, Ohio: 15 each Kentucky, Pennsylvania: 13 each Illinois, Minnesota, Virginia: 12 each Colorado, Missouri: 11 each North Carolina: 10

Pressure from customers and other stakeholders is boosting utility commitments to programs and tools designed to save energy and enable markets for renewable sources of electricity, so says a report by Ceres, a sustainability-focused non-profit and Clean Edge, a research consultancy. But it depends on where you live. In some states – you can probably…

about The Energy Fix

Jim Pierobon is Founder and principal writer of The Energy Fix. He is a policy, marketing and social media strategist who has reported on, testified and consulted about smarter grids, cyber-security as it affects the power grid, fossil fuel shortages, price spikes, energy efficiency and the rise and fall -- and the rise again of nuclear and renewable energy sources.